Page 102 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

‘You two go into the cottage,’ Rose said. ‘I’ll sort things out here, then close up for the day.’

Matt allowed Bree to lead him to the rear of the shop and into the cottage kitchen.

‘Call Sally,’ Bree told him.

Matt did. He put the phone on speaker and the two of them stood there listening to it ring. And ring. And ring.

When the voicemail cut in, Matt ended the call without leaving a message. ‘I’m going to try Brian.’

Bree nodded.

This time there was an answer.

‘Matt?’ The voice was tense. Clearly Brian knew something was wrong.

‘Brian, where’s Sally?’

‘I don’t know. I came home from work early. We usually go to the church today, but Sally wasn’t here. Why are you asking? Is she up there?’

‘Vicki’s missing.’ Matt didn’t try to soften the blow. ‘I think Sally has taken her.’

The silence down the phone told Matt that Brian agreed.

‘We need to find them, Brian. Can you help me?’

‘Have you called the police?’

‘No, but I will if I have to. Brian, if you know anything, tell me.’

‘Please don’t call the police. You know Sally would never harm Vicki.’

‘I know she wouldn’t deliberately hurt her. But, Brian, you and I both know Sally’s not well. She needs help. And today, she may be … We have to find them, for her as well as for Vicki.’

A long period of silence followed. Matt looked at Bree. She was as tense as he was, the hope and fear in her face reflecting what he felt in his heart.

He was about to give up and call the police when Brian spoke.

‘Barrington Tops.’

‘The national park?’

‘Yes. We used to take Kim there for her birthday when she was small. Every year on a camping trip. We stayed at one of the campsites for two or three days. She may have gone there.’

‘It’s a big place. Where exactly in the park?’

‘It was a small campsite. We haven’t been there for years. It may not even exist any more.’

Matt’s heart was racing. He believed Brian was right. He had to. ‘Tell me how to get there.’

‘I can’t. It’s hard to find. I’ll go.’

‘I’m coming too. You meet me and show me how to get there.’

‘All right. Do you know East Gresford?’

‘I’ll find it.’

‘Meet me there. In the pub car park at the main intersection. It’s going to take us both over an hour to get there. Then we can go into the national park together. There are dozens of campsites. I can guide us to the right one.’

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